The news that made us smile this week

Everyone needs a distraction now and then, so here are some things we spotted in the news that put a little smile on our faces this week.We hope they do the same to you.1) This big fanFormer US First Lady Michelle Obama met, and danced with, two-year-old Parker Curry this week.

Media playback is unsupported on your deviceMichelle Obama dances with Parker the portrait girlParker went viral after her mum posted a photograph of her mesmerised by Mrs Obama's official painting."Maybe one day I'll proudly look up at a portrait of you," the former first lady wrote on Twitter.2) These inspiring snow storiesAmid the heavy snow and icy temperatures Europe was facing this week, a baby hare was spotted by staff at Dublin airport.Skip Twitter post by @DublinAirportHareport News: In response to the many queries we've received, hare Emma continues to thrive. Specialist advice has been received on her care & she's gaining weight. She's blissfully unaware of her global fame. #HareEmma pic.twitter.com/448dwU9q9J— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 5, 2018ReportEnd of Twitter post by @DublinAirportThey named her Emma, after the storm she was rescued from. People went the extra mile for other people too. There were stories of UK National Health Service (NHS) workers all around the country battling through snow and storm conditions to get to work.Skip Twitter post by @pawsey_jamesHere is my girlfriend Laura Witham - nearly home after a 3.5 mile walk from the hospital after a nearly 13 hour night shift because the roads were impassable. My contribution was limited to hot chocolate on arrival. @IpswichHosp @Team_Ipswich pic.twitter.com/jhIFCAB1Rd— Jamespawsey (@pawsey_james) March 1, 2018ReportEnd of Twitter post by @pawsey_jamesSurgeon Lindsey Chisholm has been dubbed "superwoman" for walking eight miles through "red alert" conditions in Scotland to treat cancer patient Ian McAndrew.Read more stories on snow heroes3) These technology tantrumsAfter just one day at work in a Cali Burger outlet in the US, Flippy the burger-flipping robot was taken offline because he was apparently too slow at his job.

Media playback is unsupported on your deviceFlippy the burger robot was filmed starting his first shiftIn other tech news, Amazon Alexa voice assistants have been scaring their owners by letting out "witch-like" creepy laughs unprompted.4) This rescue chimp on a plane

Media playback is unsupported on your deviceMussa got so comfortable in plane he even managed to catch a napThis video of Mussa, an orphaned chimpanzee rescued from poachers in Africa travelling to safety, is enough put a smile on the sternest of faces.4) This inspiring fundraiserA charity set up in the name of Philando Castille, shot dead by police in Minnesota in 2016, has wiped out the school lunch debt of every child in his local school district. Before his death, "Mr Phil", as he was known, supervised a lunch programme in a local elementary school and often paid out of his own pocket for children who couldn't afford it.Philando Castile was fatally wounded in July 2016, sparking protestsPhilando Feeds the Children bypassed all expectations and fundraising targets - and has raised enough to pay off the lunch debts of 37,000 children in 56 school districts.5) These hiding penguinsIt has been a good week for penguins since scientists stumbled across more than 1.5 million previously unknown Adelie birds in the Antarctic. Elsewhere, some Emperor ones were not so shy of the camera.

Media playback is unsupported on your deviceCurious Emperor penguins take a selfie video in Antarctica7) The world's womenDemonstrations took place for gender equality all around the world for International Women's Day.In its honour, Mattel launched a "Shero" Barbie range, designed to honour inspiring women and historical figures including Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo and Katherine Johnson.Skip Twitter post by @MattelIn honor of #InternationalWomensDay, @Barbie is shining a light on even more empowering women. Joining the Barbie Sheroes lineup of incredible women who have broken barriers and paved the way for the next generation - see the new Global Sheroes. #MoreRoleModels #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/JR8iEoiDwM— Mattel (@Mattel) March 8, 2018ReportEnd of Twitter post by @MattelElsewhere, on a royal visit to the British city of Birmingham marking the occasion, Megan Markle made a young girl's "dream come true" and McDonalds flipped their iconic "M" into a "W".More on International Women's Day:In pictures: International Women's DayWatch: The women who inspire us the most'Women of 2037 - this is what I want you to know'

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